Teun Struycken, the Dutch State Secretary for Legal Protection, has announced plans to introduce a minimum age of 21 for the most high-risk forms of gambling. The proposal, outlined in a letter to the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer), is part of a broader strategy to tighten gambling regulations in response to growing concerns about addiction and the shortcomings of current laws.
Struycken intends to present a formal legislative proposal early next year, after assessing the implications of these changes. In addition to the age limit, the government also plans to implement mandatory overall spending limits across all gambling platforms. This measure aims to prevent players from reaching their cap on one site and continuing to gamble elsewhere. Exceeding these limits will only be allowed if a player can demonstrate it won’t negatively affect their financial well-being.
The Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit) will also be granted expanded powers to combat illegal gambling. Under the new plans, the regulator will be able to block unlicensed websites, work with banks and internet service providers to restrict access, and suspend the licenses of legal operators if necessary.
Struycken acknowledged the need for reform, stating, “Far too many people are engaging in highly risky gambling, and far too many have already ended up needing addiction care.” He admitted that the original regulatory framework has not been as effective as intended.
However, industry representatives like the Dutch Online Gambling Association (NOGA) have warned that raising the age limit could drive younger players toward illegal gambling sites. With estimates suggesting that about half of gambling in the Netherlands already happens through unregulated channels, NOGA Director Eric Konings stressed the importance of prioritizing enforcement against illicit operators.
The Scientific Research and Data Centre (WODC) has also provided input on the proposed gambling limits. Their research indicates that while personalized limits can reduce spending, overall gambling behavior remains largely unchanged.